C+S June 2023 Vol. 9 Issue 6 (web)

conditions. Decentralized hydraulic units stop automatically in the event of overloading or collision. This means workers can now climb formwork for tall piers of elevator cores off a singular hydraulic pump, eliminating leading edges. RCS MAX enables several platforms to climb a structure simultaneously in fewer steps. Ask the Tough Questions State and local governments, municipalities of all sizes, and the construction companies they hire have quite a task in front of them as the nation revamps its bridges, highways, and other key infrastructure assets. The more projects that receive the green light to proceed, the more laborers that will be needed. That means contractors will be searching for products that drive efficiency while improving workplace safety. The key for contractors is to ask the right questions when sourcing formwork, scaffolding, and other products. • Learn more about a supplier’s background. What kind of experience do they have manufacturing and delivering proven solutions to the

marketplace? How have those solutions been tested in a real-world scenario, and how have they performed? • How much does the manufacturer incorporate safeguards into their products? What product innovations have they engineered that increase workplace safety? How do these innovations mitigate the risk of falls or injuries on a jobsite such as a highway or a bridge? Take it a step further in the planning process. Ask the “What if...” question. Propose a hypothetical scenario to a product manufacturer, and see if they can offer a reasonable solution backed by engineering and product performance. Such due diligence can go a long way toward creating a safe working environment for the men and women charged with upgrading the bridges and roads traveled every day.

DAN STRAUB is Civil Segment Manager for PERI USA.

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June 2023 csengineermag.com

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